What is a screening violation in volleyball?
A screening violation occurs when the serving team blocks the receiving team's view of both the service hit and the flight path of the ball. It is judged from the service hit until the ball reaches the vertical plane of the net, and a serve that passes over a screen is a fault that gives the opponent a point and the serve.
Full Explanation
Per FIVB Rule 12.5.1, the players of the serving team must not prevent their opponents, through individual or collective screening, from seeing the service hit and the flight path of the ball. Per FIVB Rule 12.5.2, a player or group of players makes a screen by waving arms, jumping, or moving sideways during the service, or by standing grouped, so that both the service hit and the flight path of the ball are hidden until the ball reaches the vertical plane of the net; if either is visible to the receiving team, it is not a screen. Per FIVB Rule 12.5.3, no player of the serving team may raise the hands above the head during the service until the ball has passed beyond the net. A service that passes over a screen is a service fault (FIVB Rule 12.6.2.3), giving a point and the serve to the receiving team. Under NFHS Rule 6-5, similar screening rules apply. USAV, NCAA and (from 2026-27) NFHS rules also forbid players on the serving team from raising their hands above their heads during the serve until the ball has passed beyond the net.
Rulesets covered: FIVB/USAV/NFHS/NCAA | Rule Reference: FIVB Rule 12.5; FIVB Rule 12.6.2.3; USAV Rule 12.5.3; NCAA Rule 13.2.4; NFHS Rule 6-5-1
Primary sources:
- Official Volleyball Rules 2025-2028 (FIVB)
- 2025-27 USAV Indoor Rulebook (USA Volleyball)
- NFHS Volleyball Rules (National Federation of State High School Associations)
- NCAA Women's Volleyball Rules Book (NCAA Publications)
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